People from across the County and beyond will attend the latest Lancashire Asian Christian Convention for The Church of England in Lancashire next week; which is also coinciding with South Asian Heritage Month.

Those attending can expect both traditional and contemporary hymns and the guest preacher this year is US-based preacher Rev Dr Eric Sarwar.

There will also be a special appearance by well-known Asian musician, Ustad Jimmy Khan.

The theme of the Convention this year – to be held on Saturday, August 5 at St Cuthbert’s Church in Burnley at 4pm – is ‘Worship and Witness: Celebrating the Psalms’.

The Convention takes place at the height of South Asian Heritage Month, an annual event which runs this year from July 18 to August 17. Events held during the month seek to encourage the commemoration, marking and celebration of cultures, histories and communities.

This latest in a succession of annual Conventions in Lancashire held in recent years, follows an ‘International Worship’ event at St Cuthbert’s earlier this year as that church and also St Luke’s in Brierfield seek to develop a joint inter-cultural ministry to their immediate areas and more widely across the Diocese.

Vicar of the parishes, Rev Munawar Din, said today: "The purpose of inter-cultural ministry is to embrace and celebrate ethnic and cultural diversity in our parishes and beyond; to share the good news and make and grow disciples from every tribe, tongue and nation."

“We look forward to welcoming friends and families from different backgrounds, to worship together as one family of God, and to be encouraged to go out to witness to Jesus in our culturally diverse communities.”

Rev Sarah Gill, Bishop’s Adviser on Black and Ethnic Minority matters and Vicar of St Stephen's with St James in Blackburn, added: “I am delighted the Convention is taking place once again. Every year it seems to grow further in popularity."

“Being able to share a common bond - worshipping Jesus Christ - despite our diverse cultural backgrounds is always powerful. I am praying for all involved in the final planning for this year’s gathering which will be a great success I’m sure.”

• St Cuthbert’s Church is on Towneley Street, Burnley, BB10 1UJ and for more information call 01282 720611 or email areadean.burnley@blackburn.anglican.org

Captions for above pictures, top to bottom:

• Rev Munawar Din 
• Rev Sarah Gill 
• Ustad Jimmy Khan 
• Rev Dr Eric Sarwar